To thank him for donating time, resources and funds to restore firearms for the Spotswood Police Department, Savage Cerakote owner Derek Pitera received an honorary plaque.
Savage Cerakote is a federally licensed firearms dealer and full service cerakote shop located in Old Bridge. Cerakote is a polymer-ceramic composite coating that can be applied to metals, plastics, polymers and wood which enhances a number of physical performance properties including abrasion/wear resistance, corrosion resistance, chemical resistance, impact strength and hardness, according to the Spotswood council agenda from May 7.
Spotswood Mayor Ed Seely also read a proclamation recognizing Pitera for dedicating his personal and professional life to supporting the law enforcement community.
Lt. Les Genovese said a few months ago, members of the police department visited Pitera’s store to learn about their opportunity to repair eight of the department’s old model Remington 870 patrol shotguns.
“They came into my store and they wanted to transfer or do some kind of work. … Me, as a professional in the refinishing business, we were talking about the service shotguns they had on their force and how the [borough] did not want to pay to upgrade their equipment or get new firearms for their police department,” Pitera said.
Genovese said it would have cost the department between $5,000 to $6,000 to repair the guns. Pitera said after learning about the department’s need to repair its eight shotguns, he offered to refinish the guns to make them look brand new at half the price of what it would cost the department.
“They were all for it and I just said, ‘You know what? I’ll do you guys something even better’ because the law enforcement community gives so much to me I just said I will donate this whole entire job to them,” Pitera said. “I’ll finish all of their shotguns, upgrade the equipment with new hand-gears and stocks and basically just make them better than brand new. I redid all eight of their shotguns for them at no cost as a donation and thanks for their service.”
After receiving the honorary plaque from the police department, Pitera said, “It was almost breathtaking at a point. I am so happy for the work that I did for them. I would do it again if I could for any other town, if they want to work with me and they have stuff that needs to be finished. I felt absolutely honored and it was probably one of the greatest moments of my life.”
“We were blown away for a local businessman to do that at his own expense, time and cost. He took something that was worn down and made it brand new. We are grateful for what he did for our department,” Genovese said.
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
